持之以恒
持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) literally means “persist with perseverance” and expresses “steadfast dedication”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: chi zhi yi heng, chi zhi yi heng,持之以恒 meaning, 持之以恒 in english
Steadfast dedication
Pronunciation: chí zhī yǐ héng Literal meaning: Persist with perseverance
Origin & Usage
The idiom 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) is commonly used in classical Chinese to emphasize the importance of perseverance and consistent effort over time. The phrase was popularized by Zeng Guofan, a prominent Qing dynasty official, who advised his son Zeng Jize to overcome his shortcomings by maintaining steadfast dedication in his studies. Zeng Jize's journey of learning English, despite initial difficulties, exemplifies this idiom. He persisted in his studies, eventually mastering the language and successfully using it in diplomatic missions. The characters 持 (chí) mean 'to hold,' 之 (zhī) means 'it,' 以 (yǐ) means 'with,' and 恒 (héng) means 'perseverance.' In modern usage, this idiom encourages individuals to persistently pursue their goals, highlighting that success often requires long-term commitment.
Examples
English: "With unwavering determination, she completed her marathon training despite the challenges."
Chinese: 她在面对挑战时，持之以恒地完成了马拉松训练。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 持之以恒 mean in English?
持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) literally translates to “Persist with perseverance” and is used to express “Steadfast dedication”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 持之以恒 used?
Situation: With unwavering determination, she completed her marathon training despite the challenges.
What is the pinyin for 持之以恒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 持之以恒 is “chí zhī yǐ héng”.